'Airplane!' team reunites in L.A. to shoot Wisconsin tourism ads

The team behind the classic comedy “Airplane!” will reunite on a set for the first time in 33 years on Thursday, when they shoot three new TV commercials in Los Angeles for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

The three ads being shot Thursday at Air Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles will spoof “Airplane!”, according to an announcement from the department.

The spots will feature actors Robert Hays and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who starred in the movie. Abdul-Jabbar, of course, is best known as a basketball legend, playing for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks as well as UCLA during his career.

Brothers David and Jerry Zucker, as well as Jim Abrahams, will direct the commercials. The three Wisconsin natives wrote and directed “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun” movies.